In my opinion being able to say "no" to a request is as important as being able to say "yes". In fact through saying "no" to someone you could in a way be helping them to rely on you less, thereby helping them grow. So in some ways when you are giving or not giving to somebody you have to consider whether you are helping them grow as a person in the most effective way (something we learn to do very naturally with minors, e.g. kids). At the same time you have to ask yourself whether you are holding back because you feel that you will be "less" through the giving. It is this state of mind which I was talking about in my first post - this state of mind comes from a sense of lack due to identification with my ego; these sorts of thoughts are unnecessary.
On Dec 17, 2010 Rambo wrote :
@Catherine
In my opinion being able to say "no" to a request is as important as being able to say "yes". In fact through saying "no" to someone you could in a way be helping them to rely on you less, thereby helping them grow. So in some ways when you are giving or not giving to somebody you have to consider whether you are helping them grow as a person in the most effective way (something we learn to do very naturally with minors, e.g. kids). At the same time you have to ask yourself whether you are holding back because you feel that you will be "less" through the giving. It is this state of mind which I was talking about in my first post - this state of mind comes from a sense of lack due to identification with my ego; these sorts of thoughts are unnecessary.